One of the oldest towns in Hertfordshire, St Albans, or Verulamium as it was called after the Roman Conquest, became one of the largest towns in Roman Britain. It continued to prosper during the Middle Ages catering for many travellers and pilgrims with inns developing around the Abbey some of which still survive today but now used as shops or offices.

18th and 19th century St Albans remained a market town with brewing and hat manufacture and the arrival of the main line railway in 1868 meant that it was an attractive place to live. Less than ten years later St Albans received a Royal Charter giving the town City status and the Abbey Church became a Cathedral.

During the 20th century St Albans continued to develop as a commuter town attracting many industries including Ryder & Son seed merchants. Samuel Ryder is better known today as the founder of the famous golfing trophy, the Ryder Cup.

Today St Albans continues to flourish as a vibrant market town, home to numerous businesses and industries and yet a key location close to the M1 and M25 motorways, Luton International airport and less than half an hour from central London.

The Maltings and Christopher Place shopping malls mix contemporary ideas with historic nostalgia. A wealth of stores and boutiques intermingle with cafe bars and restaurants offering numerous attractions to the town’s many inhabitants and visitors.